2007 Board Meetings and Agendas
Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Board
Time and Place of Meeting:
Friday, June 15, 2007 - 8:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center, Elliott Room
17620 Pacific Highway South
SeaTac, WA.
Attendance
Sharron J. O'Donnell, CPA Chair
Edwin G. Jolicoeur, CPA, Vice-Chair
Laurie J. Tish, CPA, Secretary
Robin Clark, CPA, Board Member
Gerald F. Ryles, Public Board Member
Ronald D. Sabado, CPA, Board Member
Mary M. Tennyson, Senior Assistant Attorney General
Bruce L. Turcott, Assistant Attorney General
Richard C. Sweeney, CPA, Executive Director
Call to Order
The Chair, Sharron O'Donnell, called the Special Board meeting to order at 8:15 a.m.
Rules Review
The Board held a public rule-making hearing prior to the Board meeting on June 15, 2007 at 8:05 a.m. After discussion and consideration of all public testimony, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following three rule proposals:
WAC 4-25-510 What is the board's meeting schedule and how are officers elected? - Adopted with correction of typographical error to become effective 30 days after filing of the CR-103 with the Code Reviser's Office
WAC 4-25-530 Fees - Adopted with an effective date of August 1, 2007
WAC 4-25-820 What are the requirements for participating in quality assurance review (QAR)? - Adopted with minor amendments:
- (2)(a)(ii) - Omit "attestation"
- (2)(h)(ii) - Change "attestation" to "reporting"
The rule will become effective 30 days after filing of the CR-103 with the Code Reviser's Office.
Motion on Default Charles F. Benton, CPA; ACB-1027
Bruce Turcott, Assistant Attorney General, presented the Motion for Entry of Order on Default to the Board. After meeting in Executive Session, the Board tabled action on the Motion until the July 27, 2007 Board meeting.
Subsequently, after the Board considered the matter of the Statement of Charges issued on November 7, 2006 (ACB-924) against Charles F. Benton, the Board voted to reconsider the motion to table the action, and voted to enter Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Board Order in the matter of Charles F. Benton, CPA (ACB-1027).
The Board determined Charles F. Benton's failure to respond to Board inquiries violated the Public Accountancy Act and Board rules. The Board suspended Charles F. Benton's CPA certificate, individual license, and eligibility to register, renew or reinstate a CPA firm license for three years.
Disciplinary Hearing Charles F. Benton, CPA; ACB-924
Charles F. Benton did not appear at the disciplinary hearing scheduled for 9:00 a.m. At 9:40 a.m. the Board directed the Executive Director to phone the agency's office to determine if Mr. Benton had contacted the agency. The Executive Director checked his voice mail and with agency staff. Mr. Benton had not attempted to contact the Executive Director. AAG Turcott also confirmed that Mr. Benton had not attempted to contact him at his office. AAG Turcott moved for an order on default and proposed Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Board Order.
The Board resolved to enter a Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Board Order as drafted with three corrections in the matter of Charles F. Benton, CPA (ACB-924).
The Board determined Charles F. Benton's failure to comply with a Stipulation and Agreed Order, failure to respond to Board inquiries, and failure to return client records violated the Public Accountancy Act and Board rules. The Board suspended Charles F. Benton's CPA certificate, individual license, and eligibility to register, renew or reinstate a CPA firm license for seven years.
Public Input
No members of the public provided input.
The regular Board meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.